How will my postgraduate student income affect the amount of ESA (IR) and HB I get?

If you are in receipt of a research council award, a postgraduate studentship or stipend, a Postgraduate Loan (PGL) this will be counted as income in your benefits assessments over 52 weeks, or the length of your course if it is less than one calendar year. Only 30% of the PGL is counted. A Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL) for living costs (not tuition fees) is also counted.

Student Finance England (SFE) provide a government postgraduate loan (PGL)Postgraduate Loans Schemeof up to £10,609 for students starting a postgraduate master’s course starting in September 2018 or later.

Thirty percent of the maximum PGL that you are eligible for will be taken into account as income for your means tested benefits. We understand that this means that if you choose not to take a PGL where you are eligible, this amount will still be taken into account. This should not be applied if you are a part time student claiming Universal Credit who is subject to a “no work related requirement”.

If you are receiving the Disabled Students Allowances from Student Finance England, these will not affect your benefit entitlement.

What do I need to tell my JCP and HB offices?

You must tell your JCP and HB offices in writing as soon as your circumstances change. This includes: when you become a full-time studentsee sample letter 1, take time out of your studies, or complete your course. You must also send your JCP and HB offices proof of your student income such as a QMUL studentship or a PCDL for living costs or a PGL.

How will I know if my ESA (IR) and HB claims have been assessed correctly?

If you are in receipt of a research council award, a postgraduate studentship or stipend you may not get ESA (IR) during the course because your student income may be too high but you might still get a reduced amount of HB. If you are only getting the PGL (30% is taken into account) so you should be able to get some ESA(IR). How much you get depends on your individual circumstances.A Welfare Adviserin the Advice and Counselling Service can check this for you.

If you do not get ESA, your HB office will expect you to meet limited capability for work regulations in order to continue to get HB.Contact a Welfare Adviserfor advice about this.

When your ESA (IR) and HB entitlement has been assessed, the JCP and HB offices will write to you. The letter will include a calculation showing you how they did the assessment. Check that the JCP and HB offices have not included any elements of your student income which should have been ignored. A Welfare Advisercan check this for you if you are unsure, and can help you appeal against the decision if you need to.

Some part time postgraduate students can also claim JSA and HB. There are special rules that say in certain circumstances the DWP can apply agreed restrictions on your availability for work in connection with your physical or mental condition and previous unemployment. You still usually need to be available for work for 40 hours per week but can agree a pattern of availability in your claimant commitment, which may mean that you can study part time and still meet the JSA requirement of being ‘available for work’.

Disclaimer:Law, regulations and policies can change quickly. The information on our website is given in good faith and has been carefully checked but QMUL cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. QMUL is not responsible for the content or reliability of the linked websites which are provided for further information.